Provincial.

token to remind him of the friends he left behind him . It was the fervent hope of them all that Bro . Cree might long live to wear the jewel of a Provincial Grand Chaplain , which he was about to hand to him , and he might be assured that whenever he had an opportunity to visit the Mistley Lodge he would have a most hearty welcome . The W . M . then , amidst the hearty plaudits of the Brethren , placed on Bro . Cree's breast the jewel , which was inscribed as follows :

Presented to W . BRO . THE REV . W . CREE , Prov . G . Chaplain Essex , by some of the Brethren of the Mistley Lodge , No . 2339 , as a token of their esteem for his truly Masonic spirit .

Bro . the Rev . W . Cree , who on rising was received with applause , said he had been quite taken by surprise , as he had never contemplated receiving such a token of their kindness . He felt it was quite undeserved . Since he had been in Manningtree he had received nothing but kindness , courtesy , and Brotherly love from all the members , and he should value their handsome gift , not only for its own sake , but from the kind feeling that had prompted them to give it .

A letter expressing regret at his inability to be present , was received from the Provincial Grand Secretary Bro . T . J . Railing , and Bro . A . J . H . Ward P . M . 650 P . P . S . G . W telegraphed his regret .

HARDWICK LODGE , No . 2373 . THE anniversary festival was held at the Masonic Hall , Chesterfield , on Wednesday , 22 nd ult ., under very happy auspices . The ceremony of installation was impressively conducted by Bro , Allcock W . M ., and the new W . M . Bro . Emery most fittingly invested his Officers .

After the W . M . had received cordial congratulations , the Brethren adjourned to the Angel Hotel , where Mr . W . H . Hawkins had arranged an excellent banquet . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , the health of the W . M . being drunk with much enthusiasm .

LLANGATTOCK LODGE , No . 2547 . rpHE installation of Bro . W . A . Beer as W . M . took place on Monday 1 afternoon , 27 th ult ., at the Masonic Temple , Cardiff , in the presence of a large gathering , including the D . P . G . M . of the Eastern Division of South Wales Bro . Marmaduke Tennant . The installation ceremony was performed by the W . M . Bro . Sam . Jones Prov . G . Treasurer .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 . AT the Bunch of Grapes , Lime Street , E . C , on Wednesday , 29 th ult ., Bros . J . W . Simeons W . M ., W . H . Latham S . W ., A . Baillie J . W ., J . K . Pitt P . M . P . P . G . S . B . Surrey Secretary , T . A . Stenner P . M . Preceptor , E . Pennock P . M . S . D ., W . Hattersley J . D ., G . Bushell I . G ., Carr , Johns , and other Brethren .

The questions leading to the second degree were answered , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed , Bro . Johns being the candidate . The questions leading to tho third were answered , and a raising was rehearsed , Bro . Carr being candidate . Bro . W . H . Latham was elected W . M . for the next meeting .

FRIARS LODGE , No . 1349 . ON Thursday , at Bro . Morris Abraham's , the Aldgate Distillery , Aldgate Bros . Bmden W . M ., Lotheim S . W ., M . Moses J . W ., J . Oxley P . M . acting Prec , J . Davis Sec , M . Makeu S . D ., Goldman J . D ., Friend I . G ., Crabb Steward , M . DaCosta P . M ., Corper , Morris Abrahams , J . Wynman , L . A . DaCosta P . M . Preceptor of the Lodge , Hart , King , D . Moss P . M ., Toys P . M ., Sheveren , Sassienic , J . Hyams , Ramson , Torlowsky .

The ceremony of passing was rehearsed , Bro . Torlowsky being the candidate . This ceremony was rendered in a perfect manner . The W . M . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . M . DaCosta , who announced his

intention of rehearsing the ' ceremony of installation . Bro . Corper W . M .-elect 1349 was presented by Bro . D . Moss , a really perfect Director of Ceremonies , The obligation having been taken , the W . M . proceeded to invest the Officers , which was done to the credit of himself and the Lodge .

Bro . DaCosta afterwards delivered the three addresses in his usual perfect manner .

WOODROW LODGE , No . 1708 . AT Stone ' s Restaurant , Panton Street , on Monday , Bros . J . W . Simeons W . M ., W . H . G . Rudderforth P . M . S . W ., S . Firminger J . W ., G . Spice S . D ., 0 . Woodrow Preceptor , C . E . Wetton Assistant Prec , V . Weston I . G ., D . H . Kyd , and other Brethren . The Lodge was opened and the minutes read . The Lod ge was honoured

by the presence of Bro . W . A . Scurrah P . G . S . B ., who received the usual welcome accorded to Grand Officers . The ceremonies of passing and raising were rehearsed by tho W . M ., and very favourably received by the Brethren assembled . Bro . W . H . G . Rudderforth P . M . was unanimously elected W . M . for the next meeting , Monday , 10 th April .

CHISWICK LODGE , No . 2012 . ON the 18 th ult ,, Bros . W . T . Ridgway W . M .. F . M . Wilkins S . W ., H . J , Cousens J . W ., Arthur Williams P . M . Prec , Fred Craggs P . M . Treas ., R . Josoy P . M . Sec , R . Reid S . D ., K . M . Ross J . D ., J . H . Cumming P . M I . G ., H . T . Johnson , W . Hyde P . M ., Anthony jun , and several others .

Lodge was opened to the second degree , and Bro . Hyde answered the questions , the third degree ceremony being rehearsed . The W . M . gave the traditional history in a perfect manner . Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and was called off and on . The second section of the first lecture was worked by the assembled Brethren , the questions being but by the Preceptor ,

Instruction.

who afterwards made a strong appeal to those present to support the West London Masonic Election Association at the poll . Bro . Wilkins was elected to occupy the chair at the next meeting .

ALFRED NEWTON LODGE , No . 2686 . ON Tuesday , at the Royal Palace Hotel , Kensington , W ., Bros . H . R . Newton ( son of Alderman Alfred Newton ) W . M ., A . J . Naughton S . W ., H . Thompson J . W ., R . H . Williams P . M . Preceptor , W . R . Black P . M . Assist . Prec , D . F . Norrington S . W . 2686 Sec , H . Redgrave S . D ., W . B . Abbott P . M . J . D ., Dr . T . G . Heighington I . G ., T . W . Jupes , F . Catchpole , P . Carmichael , J , Wynman .

The W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , for which Bro . F . Catchpole acted as candidate . The ceremony being ended , the Lodge was called from labour to refreshment . On resuming , the W . M . vacated his chair in favour of Bro . Norrington-Seeretary of the Lodge . Before Bro . Newton retired from the chair , however , Bro . R . H . Williams

P . M . Preceptor , in a neat and well received speech , complimented him on the faultless manner in which he had rehearsed the ceremony of initiation for the first time in the Lodge , and proposed that a hearty vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes to that effect . This was seconded by Bro . Flack P . M . Deputy Preceptor and unanimously supported .

Bro . Newton W . M ., in a few appreciative words , thanked the Brethren for their compliments , and was very pleased to hear he had given satisfaction . Bro . Norrington advanced the Lodge to the second degree , and Bro . Carmichael answered the questions leading to the third degree . He was entrusted , the Lodge was opened up , and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed . Bro . Norrington showed he was well suited to occupy the leading position in the Lodge .

The W . M . resumed the Lodge to the first degree , and Bro . A . J . Naughton was unanimously elected to preside on Tuesday next . As we said on a recent occasion , the appointments of this Lodge are of the highest character . We wore pleased to see the Secretary taking the chair , as in several Lodges it is noticable that the most hard worked member

seldom has the opportunity of presiding . The Lodge meets every Tuesday at 7 . 45 p . m ., and , as Bro . R . H . WilliamsJP . M . is well known amongst the Craft as one of the very best Preceptors , we strongly advise Brethren to pay the Lodge a visit . They may rely on receiving a most hearty reception from the members .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

¦ —' . n : — HOPE CHAPTER , No . 574 . THE regular meeting was held at Newbury , on Thursday , 16 th ult ., _ when there was a numerous attendance . The three chairs were occupied by the Rev . W . M . Hope M . E . Z ., S . Knight H ., and W . H . Belcher P . Z . J . Past Master Stephen Knight jun ., and Bro . Joseph Howard , of Benham , were exalted , after which the Principals and other Officers for the

ensuing year were elected , as follow : —Comp . Stephen Knight M . E . Z ., W . H . Belcher H ., Reginald Maples J ., Hanington S . E ., Col . Ricardo S . N ., E . Head Treasurer , E . Hill P . Soj ., J . N . Day 1 st Asst . Soj ., C . Stradling 2 nd Asst . Soj ., H . D ' o . W . Astley Steward , C E . Keyser P . Z . P . G . Sw . B . Director of Ceremonies , and S . P . Burton Janitor .

The Chapter having been closed , the Companions , joined by the Mark Masons , dined together at the Jack of Newbury Hotel . Bro . Day , the newlyinstalled Master of the Mark Lodge , presided , the vice-chairman being the Senior Warden Col . Ricardo . The health of the W . M . of the Porchester Lodge , proposed by Past Master Belcher , was drunk with much enthusiasm , and Bro . Day suitably returned thanks .

Comp . Knight gave the health of the retiring M . E . Z . Rev . W . M . Hope , bearing testimony to the great ability he had shown in the high office he had held during the past year . Comp . Hanington proposed the health of Comp . A . E . Pike , and on behalf of those present offered him every good wish on his departure for a more important position in connection with the Capital and Counties Banking Company at Nottingham .

Comp . Pike , in replying , said he had spent a very happy time amongst the Newbury Masons , and he was sorrv to leave the neighbourhood . The W . M . of the Porchester Lodge proposed the health of his newlyappointed Officers , for whom Col . Ricardo returned thanks . Comp . Raynor gave the health of the exaltees , and Comps . S . Knight jun . and J . Howard responded .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

PORCHESTER LODGE , No . 27 . rTYHE Officers and Brethren of this Lodge , which is the oldest Mark Lodge j _ in the Province of Berks and Oxon , having been founded in 1858 , assembled at tho Temperance Hall , Newbury , on Thursday afternoon , 16 th ult ., under the presidency of the Worshipful Master Bro . C . E . Keyser P . G . D . England , supported by several of the Past Masters .

The principal business was the installation of tho Senior Warden Bro . Joseph Napoleon Day Provincial Grand Superintendent Works as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year . The ceremony having been completed , the W . M . appointed his Officers . The installation ceremony was ably and impressively performed by Bro . Keyser . Apologies for non-attendance were read from the Provincial Grand Master Viscount Valentia and other distinguished Brethren .

The Audit Committee presented a report , showing that the Lodge finances had been brought into a most satisfactory condition , and Bro . Belcher Treasurer and the Committee were congratulated upon the successful issue of their labours , and warmly thanked for the time and trouble they had devoted to the matter .

On the proposal of Past Master Cosburn , seconded by Past Master Heard , a hearty voto of thanks , unanimously passed , was presented to Bro . Keyser , for the valuable services lie had rendered to the Lodge during the past year , and , indeed , throughout the period during which he had been associated with Masoury in Newbury .

Bro . Keyser , who was greeted with much applause , made a graceful response , after which the Lodge business was brought to a termination in , the usual form .